As you guys might know, last Thursday was John’s 31st birthday and West Elm in Houston whipped up this amaaaaaazingly DIY-riffic cake for him. #edibletapemeasure #umyeahtheressawdust
Every year we write birthday posts about what we got each other and this year John actually got (well, is getting, since I’m letting him pick it out) a nail gun (more info on that when we get it). So because I don’t have photos of him holding up various presents like we’ve shared in former years like this post from last year) I thought I’d over-share slash cheese it up on a Tuesday afternoon with a little brain dump of seven things I love about John (surprise, honey!). #warningitssappy
After all, this is definitely a week for being grateful. And since this whole blog is basically just a diary of our lives, I thought it was about time that I shouted a few cheeseball-but-true things from the rooftops. Which is not to say that we never fight (if you believe that I have a talking ceramic animal to sell you) but although we’re far from perfect, I’m so glad he’s mine. Here’s what I’m thankful for:
1 – John’s love of Clara and his patience with her – even when I’m about to lose my mind he’s my rock. I love how imaginative he is with her and I don’t think there’s anything sexier than walking into a room and seeing your hubby whipping up a wooden sandwich with your daughter at her play kitchen that he built for her. Or lazing around wearing matching shirts and discussing the merits of a table saw versus a hand saw. Am I right?
2 – His ability to love a small chihuahua just as much as I do… even though when we adopted Burger John said he “looked like an alien” and acted like the dog would be my thing. I think by that weekend Burger had him whipped. And that, my friends, is a guy who is comfortable with his dude-dom. I’m telling you, walking a tiny dog is the sign of a real man (it might be a good test of marriage material to those still dating… will he man up and take the leash…?). There’s not an ounce of I-won’t-do-that-because-it’s-not-manly-enough-and people-will-see-me in John (probably thanks to him growing up with three sisters) and I love that about him. He’s confident. He doesn’t look around sheepishly. If the dog needs to go out, he takes him out. If I need lady-items from the supermarket and he’s doing the shopping, he buys them for me. I won’t say he doesn’t blush and hide them in the bottom of the cart, but he gets things done. And I love it.
3 – That he kissed me first. Anyone who knows us loves this tidbit since I’m the loud outgoing one and they picture me pouncing on him… which also happens – but he pounced first. Yup, he’s a man of action. And he’s shy but confident, which might be the perfect combo. Plus I gotta say that I love the way he dresses. Some girls are into giant built guys who can scarf serious quantities of beef jerky, but I couldn’t be more into tall, dork, and handsome. Basically when John threw on this shirt with this sweater a few months ago, I swooned. It’s little things like his love of old wooden boxes or his excitement to fire up a new tool (he gets a gleam in his eye like a kid opening a new toy) that get me all giddy. It’s like his excitement is contagious. All of this rambling is to say: dude’s got style.
4 – His brain. There are many sexy things about my husband, but his quick wit is unparalleled and he makes me laugh until my stomach hurts at least once a day with some spur-of-the-moment quip that leaves me wiping the tears out of my eyes from cry-laughing. To anyone who knows us, John’s sense of humor is one of his most defining characteristics (along with his whip smart brain full of seemingly limitless trivia knowledge). Heck, he’s so smart that even though he has the answer 99% of the time (be it DIY or life related) he somehow makes me feel like I figure out my fair share of things too. How does he do that?! It’s sheer brilliance. Also he looks pretty darn good in pumpkin sunglasses. Just sayin’.
5 – His devotion to me and our family. He makes us feel safe, loved, and appreciated – I honestly couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve had relationships in the past that felt like I was chasing that person more or trying harder than them, but John makes me (and Clara) feel secure and cherished and I could almost cry talking about it. Sorry, I warned you guys this would get sappy…
6 – His calloused project-loving hands and his sweet smile (this might veer off into TMI territory, but he has the best lips ever). #backoffhesmine #putabirdonhim
7 – His willingness to help me with “one more thing” and to lay in bed at night and brainstorm our next project when I know he might rather be watching TV or out for a run or… you know, getting friendly… while I’m running my mouth about some idea instead. I couldn’t be luckier that he’s happy to be “in the trenches” with me every day. It’s amazing that he has his own interests (he can train and run a half marathon) while still staying involved with us and not checking out.
I think some folks might question what kind of man runs a DIY blog with his wife about paint and fabric and family and my answer is: a real man. I love that he can build Clara a dollhouse and code our entire website and has even built a deck for our family – although he has no background in any of that stuff. He figures things out as he goes and he’s not afraid to jump in and learn new things. And I love that he’s not scared to weigh in on my hair-brained decorating sprees instead of saying “you handle the girly stuff and I’ll stick to the power tools.” He truly makes me feel like we’re a team and we’re in it together and as a result our house feels like us. I honestly have no idea how I got so lucky. I promise I didn’t hypnotize him or anything.
In summary: he’s the one. Mah man. And he makes me happier than bees riding bicycles (and those make me pretty happy). Happy 31st birthday, babe! Thanks for everything and then some.
And so ends my lovefest for el hubbo. What are you guys grateful for? Any birthdays going on in your house? Who’s getting what?
UPDATE: John discovered the post! Finally! After doing a project in the basement, uploading photos, and editing a video (all while I sweated profusely at the computer). Here’s his reaction.
Psst- Want more lovey-dovey posts? We have a bunch of them here. And for those wondering how we resolve decorating disputes, here’s a post about that for ya.
Jennifer Van Der Woodsen says
Hey! We just had a customer from NC tell us about you and we’re neighbors! We have a shop in Toano, Va…about 35-40 min. east of Richmond :) We’d love to meet you guys! We have a lot of antiques, vintage clothes, industrial furniture and decor (some custom built by us) and we also have a shed out back that has lots of old wood, doors, windows etc for all the DIY-ers! Come stop in and introduce yourselves! Love your blog :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much! Sounds like lots of fun!
xo
s
Aubri says
Ohhhh Happy Birthday John! :-) This was SUCH a sweet post, Sherry… I love reading you guys. You’re very tender with each other online, and this is SUCH a good example. I wish more couples who blog would do this sort of thing.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Aubri. You’re sweet.
xo
s
Lindsey R says
You had me at #1.
But then had the tears flowing at #5!!
Thanks for sharing, Sherry – you are an awesome writer! And happy birthday to John!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Lindsey!
xo
s
Kim @ Yellow Brick Home says
This was awesome. Happy belated birthday, John!
Patti says
I don’t know why this post makes me love you guys even more, but it does. Happy Birthday John!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Patti. You’re sweet.
xo
s
Pam says
And for the tiny percentage of your readers that didn’t already have a crush on John…. They don’t have a chance after this! Haha – loved this post and can’t wait to see you guys in Tacoma!
Catherine Lajoie says
What an amazing tribute to your hubs. I feel like one should do that every year for their loved ones! Totally triggered some teary-ness!
Steph R says
I LOVE this. Seriously, it is SO refreshing to see a couple who has their issues but are still so in love with each other especially when I see so many broken relationships these days. Rock on you guys! I am inspired to write a similar post about my husband because I too have a long list of the many ways/reasons I love him. On second thought, maybe I should make it a series. On third thought, I don’t want my readers to fall in love with him (all 12 of them) so maybe I’ll just write him an email. Okay, I think I’ll stop typing my thoughts out now…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Paulina J! says
I’m in tears over here!!!! I’m working out of town and this made me think of mah man :) Thanks for being a normal, happy couple. YOU GUYS ROCK!!
Tara says
I love this post! I agree on the small dog thing! We have two bichons who are ridiculously cute and beyond girly looking but my dear hubby doesn’t hesitate to walk them and love up on them as much as I do. It definitely shows a man is comfortable with himself. Finding the one just makes life so much better. I was “almost” engaged to another guy before meeting my hubby. Life wouldn’t be half as an enjoyable if I had stayed with the previous guy. Thankful every day, as obviously you are too!
Happy (belated) Birthday John!
Shelley @ Green Eggs and Hamlet says
Somehow I missed this when it was originally posted but thankfully caught it, thanks to your guys’ monthly round-up. John is the best aroooooooooound (see here for reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oomCIXGzsR0).
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Shelley!
xo
s